BioVersys collaborates with GlaxoSmithKline

The collaboration will utilize BioVersys’ award-winning innovative TRIC technology that enables the discovery of Transcriptional Regulator Inhibitory Compounds. The project, built upon a very long history of TB research in Lille, will advance molecules that reactivate the efficacy of established TB therapies.

The University of Lille consortium comprises leading scientists in TB research and drug discovery from the Institut Pasteur de Lille, Université Lille 2, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). The teams of Professors Nicolas Willand, Alain Baulard and Bénoit Deprez have significantly contributed to the compounds relevant to the project and were the first to discover the target regulator in TB.

The Wellcome Trust is funding the development activities as part of a pre-existing collaboration with GSK towards finding treatments for diseases largely affecting low-income countries. The financial terms of the agreement are not disclosed.

Marc Gitzinger, CEO of BioVersys commented: “This collaboration with GSK is a validation of the innovative and relevant nature of the TRIC technology. We look forward to collaborating with GSK’s scientists and the French consortium to advance our development activities.” Dr. Alain Baulard, Director of Research, Institut Pasteur de Lille: “This project is a major development of our drug discovery on rejuvenation of Ethionamide activity, a concept that we have been advancing since 2001.” Benoît Deprez, Professor of Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Lille 2: “We are proud to bring our medicinal chemistry expertise to this world-class consortium.”

Richard Seabrook, Head of Business Development at the Wellcome Trust said: “Tuberculosis is an increasing threat to health with its highest prevalence in low-income countries. This collaboration enables us to continue our long-term commitment to treating diseases in these settings by supporting new drug technologies and aiding the development of effective therapies in an area of unmet medical need”.